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Europe News

Meals served at Christmas charity event in Budapest reach thousands

The Hungarian Krishna community delivered 2,500 hot meals and gift packages, offering warmth and hope to thousands, from the homeless to struggling families.

Culture news

Kate Bush reflects on dangers of AI in annual Christmas message

“It’s been another year of exceptionally dark news. It just keeps getting worse, doesn’t it?” wrote the iconic British singer.

EuroVerify

Is a real or artificial Christmas tree better for the environment?

Euroverify breaks down what we know about the carbon footprint of the centrepiece of Christmas decorations.

World News

Bethlehem marks a minimalist Christmas Mass amid ongoing war in Gaza

Hundreds gathered at the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem in the West Bank as the leader of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land marked the second Christmas Midnight Mass under the shadow of the war in Gaza.

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Europe News

Christian faithful celebrate Christmas at Masses throughout Europe

Masses were organised all over the continent, and thousands of Christian worshippers attended to mark the festive occasion.

Europe in Motion

Are your Christmas gifts ready? Here are where EU toys come from

While the EU saw a drop in toy exports, China was the EU’s biggest supplier, providing 80% of these imports, valued at €5.2 billion.

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Santa departs Lapland on Christmas eve mission

Santa Claus set off from his home in snowy Rovaniemi, Finland, embarking on his magical global journey to deliver Christmas cheer. Crowds gathered at Santa Claus Village to wave him off as he boarded his reindeer-drawn sleigh, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas in multiple languages.

Culture news

Step into Christmas in a Bavarian village... in Washington State?

Leavenworth, Washington, has become a holiday hotspot, transforming from a fading mining town into the Pacific Northwest's festive capital.

Culture news

'Restoration of justice': A Christmas carol defying imperialism

From resistance to Hollywood: 'Carol of the bells' is globally known as a Christmas carol, but in Ukraine, it's also an embodiment of cultural resistance.

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Enjoying Christmas dinner at an Arctic Circle restaurant

Tourists flock to Santa Claus Village near Rovaniemi, enjoying snow, reindeer rides, and meeting Santa. At the Snowman World ice restaurant, visitors dine on local dishes in temperatures of -5°C, savoring rich, creamy meals like salmon soup and roasted elk.

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How the Grinch arrested a suspected drug trafficker in Peru

Peru's Green Squadron arrested drug traffickers during a Christmas operation. An officer disguised as the Grinch broke into a suspected trafficker's home, finding drugs and money. The Grinch's disguise helped the police surprise and capture three suspects.

Nature

How to rescue robins from cold weather this winter

Up to half of garden birds die of cold and hunger in winter. Here’s how to help them survive.

EuroVerify

Who brings Europeans their Christmas presents?

It's not just Santa Claus who delivers gifts to Europe over the Christmas season.

Lifestyle

Ho ho... huh? The strangest European Christmas folklore explained

While you’re overindulging in the festive cheer and the rampant commercial takeover of these holidays, keep these strange Christmas folklore figures in mind. Whether it’s the anti-Santa cat from Iceland or a child-chopping murderer from France, there’s plenty that’s bleak around the holidays.

Tech News

Rival Spanish politicians 'reconcile' for Christmas in parody AI video

What better time than Christmas to put aside differences and embrace the spirit of reconciliation? United Unknown, a political satire collective, has gone viral with an AI-generated video of leading Spanish figures.

Culture news

Hanukkah begins on Christmas Day in rare calendar convergence

This year, Hanukkah and Christmas will share a special connection as the Jewish Festival of Lights begins on 25 December, marking only the fifth time since 1900 that the two holidays have overlapped.

Europe in Motion

War on Santa: Which European nations banned Christmas in the past?

Some religious and political ideologies opposed Christmas in European history, and festive traditions have proved divisive across the continent at times.

Hungary

Santa Claus arrives in Hungarian town in style - by helicopter

Children and their parents had gathered on the central beach by Lake Balaton, next to the Ferris wheel, and waited patiently for Santa Claus, who was met with great excitement upon his arrival.

Food and Drink

Five mocktails to enjoy Christmas without the hangovers

It’s Christmas soon, and whether you celebrate or not, in most European countries this time of year equates to drinks flowing liberally. For anyone looking for a non-alcoholic tipple, here are our favourite mocktails for the season.

Europe News

Spain’s 'El Gordo' lottery gives away millions in Christmas draw

The 22 December annual Christmas lottery began during the Napoleonic wars in 1812 and has continued largely without interruption since then.